Photo by Justin Criado

MACS students Destany Best (center) and Ryan Jones (left of Best) received a proclamation from the city of Pittsburgh Tuesday, April 7 in recognition of the students qualifying for the Academic Games Leagues of America (AGLOA) national tournament April 24-27 in Orlando, Florida. Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle (left of Jones) presented the proclamation.

By Justin Criado

April 7, 2015 is now a date that will live in infamy for Manchester Academic Charter School students Destany Best and Ryan Jones as the city of Pittsburgh proclaimed it “Destany Best and Ryan Jones” day during a city council session.

The proclamation is a result of the students qualifying for the Academic Games Leagues of America (AGLOA) national tournament April 24-27 in Orlando, Florida.

In order to qualify, Best, a sixth-grader, and Jones, a fifth-grader, placed in the Top 10 in their respective divisions through local and state tournaments, which consisted of four games this year – Presidents, Propaganda, World Events and Equations.

“Ryan and Destany have practiced hours a week for over half a year, and have proven that they belong in the national competition,” Rae Lynn Melnyk, MACS academic games coach and teacher, said. “We’re proud of them and we look forward to bringing home the trophy.”

Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle presented the proclamation, and expressed how important it is to properly observe the students’ scholastic achievements.

“We wanted to recognize them for their academic accomplishment,” Lavelle said.

Best and Jones will be competing in more than one category at the national tournament.

For more information about the AGLOA and national tournament visit the official website.